Without a doubt 3D printing has serious potential to spur innovations. However, for the moment it’s too expensive and complex - just imagine the 3D CAD learning curve. For a lot of non-complex ideas you can actually use Lego® to create a lot of useful things. It’s cheap, easy to use and you can go to the next toy store RIGHT NOW and get a starter kit. Here are some clever ideas I came across:
- key holders
- wallet and mobile phone holder
- iPhone 5 dock
- tablet or eReader stand
- Raspberry Pi case - this will work with any circuit board and will also make them easy to stack!
A Software Developer by the name of Michael Hunger even uses LEGO® to track his time. And it’s easy to come up with other useful ideas (I’m sure most of these have been built already)
- CD/DVD/Vynil/Book rack or showcase
- Notebook cooling stand
- PC Case
- Guitar stand
- Guitar effects board
- pen holder
- picture frames
- Gamepad holder (or any other gadget)
- vase